There were three reliable Sturmey-Archer three-speeds along, and plenty of Carradice bags. I'm in the neo-retro group—I use vintage equipment, where it seems better:
My sweetheart has a Superbe that she often loads up with groceries around town. The racks used on most of those that I have seen are actually a stamped steel platform with steel tubular legs painted to match the frame. Our company imports Pashley classic cycles from the UK that are modern (neo-retro again) three-speed style bikes equipped with a similar rack. They are black and could be painted—though the black looks pretty good, or good enough to paint later. We have a limited number of these racks on hand for a bout $40.00 (or so), if you would like one.
There was an informal group in Wisconsin, I think, that had a Three-speed overnight tour arranged over the summer. I think it is an annual event. Trophy Bike Shop in Philadelphia hosts the Great British Bike Weekend every Spring—that might be worth your while to attend. People showed up from all over the country the last time I was there.
I was in scouting in the 60's and 70's and I never saw a steel tent pole, but wooden ones with steel separators were common. (Speaking of steel vs wood, over in Portugal Xylon Bikes are making these cool wooden frames!) The tents we used were too heavy (30lbs+) for decent cycling, and we never hiked with them on backpacking trips.
Another nice retro thing is a Vietnam-era rubber coated poncho, army surplus. They are absolutely waterproof and weigh about 2 lbs.. Two, snapped together, make a huge tarp or tent (the seam in middle looks bad for rain entry in tent mode). Put together a visqueen ground cloth and a surplus Mosquito bar with a long cord suspended between two trees and you have a sub-4.0 lb, retro, tent/tarp rig that is cool, provides bug protection and is easy to pack. A nylon poncho weighs about a pound less.
Army shelter half-tents (pup tents) are not light, but are cheap and easy to find. However they also suffer from that seam in the top center that worries me. Canvas can be easily waterproofed with Linseed Oil or Paraffin and Turpentine.
I'm getting way into this (sorry) but you could also find an old Green Coleman cooler and tow it on a trailer to spite the cowboys.
Yours in Cycling,
Gilbert Anderson
North Road Bicycle Imports P.O. Box 840 166 Courthouse Square Yanceyville NC 27379 milesawhelen@mac.com or cyclestore@aol.com Local: 919-828-8999 or Toll free Nationwide 800-321-5511
